Volunteer Why be an advocate?

Because victims of violence are counting on you! Whether you want to work on the front lines directly with people who have been victims of violent crime or whether you want to help behind the scenes, Alternatives to Violence has many rewarding volunteer opportunities.

Stories of impact are everywhere! There is no typical day for a volunteer victims advocate. You may be on call and never actually go out, but when you do, you have so much impact on the person you are helping. One advocate writes:

"As an ATV victim’s advocate, I see victims who are at different stages of their journeys, from being in denial to actively leaving the perpetrator. One of the challenges of advocacy is being prepared for any of the different stages a victim goes through to be manifesting. I also have to be able to effectively gauge whether or not the victim is at a point where they might be able to process the ‘red flags’ that are found in abusive relationships. I find that often those in denial are already aware on some level that they are being victimized. They might even repeat back some of these ‘red flags’ to me, implicitly saying that they are not victims, because their situation is different than others. Recently, I had to make a decision to talk to a victim, more seriously than I normally would, because I felt that she did not understand what kind of danger she was in and I wanted to try to get her to see the seriousness of the situation she was living in every day. I also felt that she was at the point where she was willing to listen, even if she was not ready to act". Kathryn

Respond in person or by phone to emergency calls from crime victims, law enforcement and/or hospital staff for victims of violent crime. Provide support, advocacy, options, safety planning, referrals and community resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crime. To become a Victim Advocate, volunteers first complete ATV’s free in-depth training program to prepare them for working with victims in crisis. For a more information and to learn how to apply, click here.

Court Advocate

Provide support, information, advocacy, and court accompaniment to survivors of violent crime, such as domestic violence and sexual assault, assist with restraining orders, civil, criminal, and other court matters, and legal referrals. Volunteer Court Advocates are not lawyers and do not give legal advice. To become a Court Advocate, volunteers first complete ATV’s free in-depth training program to prepare them for working with victims in crisis. For a more information and to learn how to apply, click here.

Safehouse Advocate (*coming soon*)

Respond to needs of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault staying at the Safehouse, answer the crisis line, provide support, advocacy, options, safety planning, referral and community resources to Safehouse guests and crisis line callers, and assist staff with the day-to-day running of the Safehouse. To become a Safehouse Advocate, volunteers first complete ATV’s free in-depth training program to prepare them for working with residents and victims in crisis. For a more information and to learn how to apply, click here. This volunteer position will begin once ATV opens the Safehouse in 2015 – accepting applicants Spring 2015.

Offer support and respect to children of ATV clients and residents during support groups, group counseling, or as respite care inside the Safehouse. Provide children with safe, positive and nurturing play experiences while modeling non-violence. To become a Childcare Volunteer, applicants must complete a training session at ATV to prepare them for working with children who have experienced or witnessed domestic and/or sexual violence. For more information and to learn how to apply, click here.

Office/Administrative Assistant

Assist with a variety of tasks to keep the ATV office functioning smoothly. Tasks include answering phones, greeting clients, planning events, thanking donors, and other administrative work. For more information and to learn how to apply, click here.

Friend of ATV

Assist with agency, transitional housing, and Safehouse needs as they arise, including special events, projects, outreach, fundraising, and maintenance. With the help of our Friends, ATV can run efficiently and continue to accomplish our mission of serving victims of violent crime. For more information and to learn how to apply, click here.

Board Member

Establishes direction, ensures adequate resources, and provides oversight so that Alternatives to Violence is able to serve its clients. For more information, click here.